|  | Conditions Treatments | Depression

Long-Term Effects of Depression

In addition to being debilitating, depression can have long-term effects on your health. Fortunately, treatment of depression has come a long way. Medications as well as psychotherapies and other treatments are available today to help relieve or minimize many of the disease's long-term effects.

  1. Chronic Fatigue

    • People who suffer from depression over a long period of time can experience chronic fatigue. Symptoms primarily involve decreased energy, which is wide-ranging and can include anything from feeling lethargic to flat-out exhaustion.

    Chronic Pain

    • Chronic pain is pain that persists for days, months and for some for years. Although the pain can stem from a past injury, those who suffer from long-term depression tend to be more prone to chronic pain.

    Panic Attacks

    • OrganizedWisdom.com defines panic attacks as a sudden intense fear or anxiety. These attacks can mimic the signs of a heart attack and can be quite scary. While experiencing a panic attack, you can feel as if your heart is racing, have chest pain, dizziness, and cold, clammy sweats. People with long-term depression are more likely to experience panic attacks than those without a history of depression.

    Decreased Libido

    • While it is not always the case, people who are depressed over periods of time tend to lose interest in sex. In men this tends to manifest itself with decreased libido as well as erectile dysfunction, and in women a lack of interest in sex can be accompanied by difficulty reaching arousal.

    Worsened Short Term Symptoms

    • Long-term effects of depression include worsening of some of the shorter term symptoms. Increased loss of short term memory, concentration and changes in sleeping and eating patterns are examples.

Depression - Related Articles